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July 29, 2015

We’re all about innovation and inspiration. So we were thrilled to see Autodesk’s own J. Sassaman mentioned in a recent 7x7 article, “4 Women Makers Who Inspire Us.” J. manages the Autodesk Pier 9 Artists in Residence (AIR) program, which helps artists and makers push their ideas and skills to the next level. She says she loves “work that tells a story,” whether it’s a set of ceramic bowls or Beyonce’s “Flawless” video. (We love you too, Bey.) When asked what creativity and innovation mean to her, J. says, “I’m not convinced there’s any difference between these 2, besides the fact that creativity is more whimsical and offbeat, and innovation gets applied to business and industry. They both work by combining familiar things in unexpected ways.”

As workshop manager and creative projects manager at the Pier 9 workshop, Ms. Sassaman gets to see creativity and innovation at work every day. The Pier 9 program gives artists and makers a chance to work with Autodesk’s digital fabrication tools, plus get expert training and be part of a unique creative community. We give them equipment and resources they may not have access to on their own to bring their wildest visions to life. And the creativity and innovation at Pier 9 are the same stuff that fuel so much of the great work engineers and designers do around the world each day—the very stuff you’ll find at AU online in tips, tricks, trainings, and more.

Check out some recent Pier 9 work, including these stunning animated 3D printed sculpture Blooms by artist John Edmark, who also teaches design at Stanford University. Watch the video—it’s incredible. Equally incredible is this beautiful Strata Bench inspired by Death Valley and created with stacked plywood by artist Adrien Segal.

Everything resident artists create at Pier 9 belongs to them. All we ask is that they publish their work on Instructables.com (a.k.a. DIY Heaven). If you’ve never been to Instructables.com—go now. (Warning: you might lose yourself down the DIY rabbit hole for hours.) You can learn how to do everything from making your own pickles to converting headphones to Bluetooth wireless. It’s a lot like the Autodesk Gallery, an online destination where designers, engineers, and makers from around the world share what they do and get inspired by others. Autodesk Gallery will soon be a part of the AU web experience, giving AU speakers, attendees, and others around the globe a chance to share their own inspirational design and engineering work.

July 22, 2015

Calling all automotive industry designers, engineers, and manufacturers. Are you coming to AU 2015? You certainly should. Be sure to sign up for the Automotive Tailored Experience, which is for anyone who has a passion for the automotive industry and an eye on the future. If you’re keen to learn about the latest design technologies driving excellence throughout the auto industry—design, visualization, simulation, and factory planning workflows—this is the way to go. Connect with innovators from around the world, hear from industry and solutions experts, and be inspired by thought leaders paving the way for the future of making cars.

Speaking of inspiration, Autodesk’s Line//Shape//Space recently posted an “Inside My Design Mind” piece on Buick’s Director of Interior Design, Liz Wetzel. Liz was born and raised in the Motor City and she’s the fourth generation in her family with an automotive career. She’s currently overseeing the design of the sleek new Buick Avenir (um, we want 1 please). Liz talks about the importance of sculpting—both digital and clay—in design, connecting with customers on an emotional level, and collaborating with designers on the other side of the world. On her design philosophy, Liz says, “Unleashing creativity in the design studio is a catalyst for fresh thinking and solutions.” Hear, hear.

Check out Liz’s story. And don’t forget to sign up for the Automotive Experience during AU registration, which opens next month. (Next month!)

July 15, 2015

The first AU International event of 2015 is done and it was a huge success. AU Johannesburg took place on June 18 and was attended by nearly 400 design and engineering professionals who came to explore The Future of Making Things.

Jonathan Knowles, Autodesk’s director of strategic initiatives and senior advisor to the CEO and CTO, as well as a respected voice on future trends (his business card says “Explorer”—we love this guy) kicked off the event with a keynote in which he announced that Autodesk is making its software free for African students, teachers, and startups with a turnover of less than $100,000 last year. “Makers, students, startups—you have the same tools as the big guys,” Knowles said. It’s another way Autodesk is supporting education and the growth of generative design and digital fabrication techniques worldwide. To again quote Jonathan Knowles, “The better everyone is doing, the better we all do.” Well put, sir.

Johannesburg attendees chose from sessions in the following tracks: manufacturing, architecture, engineering, construction, and general sessions which included a little of everything; and hands-on labs. Notable speakers included renowned trend analyst Dion Chang, who explored what design for a new world order means for the current socioeconomic climate. Chris Combrink spoke about the new 3ds Max tools for technical artists, and Marek Suchocki talked about global BIM adoption. The event also featured a Future of Making Things graffiti wall—because everyone loves a can of spray paint—and a Lego Man photo wall and competition. And of course cocktails and networking to end the day.

Thanks to everyone who came out for AU Johannesburg and congratulations to the team behind this event for making it a huge success. Next stop for AU International: Mumbai on August 7.

To see more from AU Johannesburg, check out #AUxJHB2015. Read more about Autodesk’s free software for education initiative in this great interview with Jonathan Knowles.

July 08, 2015

Future makers have fun at the 2015 Kids at Autodesk Day on June 25 in San Francisco.

Last week we held 1 of our favorite events: Kids at Autodesk Day, or KAAD. Each year we open our doors to Autodesk employees’ kids, ages 5-18, for an exciting day of hands-on learning and exploring how to create, build, and make things. It’s almost like a mini AU just for the littles—they are the future of making things. This year over 300 kids came along for the fun.

After a quick welcome session, we launched straight into a packed morning of hands-on activities and tours. We offered sessions for different age groups in Sketchbook, Tinkercad, Tinkerplay, Fusion 360, and 123D Sculpt. Kids got to do fun things like design their own iron-on to take home, enter a robot competition, and make solar panel bugs and stomp rockets—which were launched at the Bocce Courts. (Woo-hoo!) We also took kids on tours of the Autodesk Gallery and Marin County Library, and played games like big Jenga, Soccket ball, PULSE jump rope, and more.

All in all it was a huge success, and we’re not sure who had more fun—the kids or the employees. Thanks to everyone who volunteered, and especially to all the kids who came out to make this a great day for all of us.

July 01, 2015

After weeks of nail biting and hair tearing, the wait is over. Our industry experts and track managers have selected the class sessions for AU 2015. If you submitted a class proposal, you should have heard from us by now. We want to take a minute to thank each and every 1 of you who put in the time and effort to submit proposals this year. We know how hard you worked and we want you to know how much we appreciate your efforts. Without you, AU just wouldn't be. So thank you, gracias, danke, arigato. You rock.

If your proposal wasn't selected this year, don’t be discouraged. We received nearly 2,100 great proposals and were able to approve fewer than 700 of those. We were once again blown away by the high quality of work and depth of thought we received from everyone. Year after year, we’re in awe of your expertise and how that expertise supports the AU community and Autodesk users worldwide.

With plans for AU Las Vegas now well underway, we’ve got some time to start thinking about what comes next. Top of mind: How can we harness even more of the learning, energy, and expertise behind all those great submissions? How can we bring that many more Autodesk users into the AU expert community? In what other ways can we connect Autodesk users worldwide who are grappling with new ways to design, engineer, and build?

We’ve got some ideas in the works, a few we pulled from the cutting room floor, and a few still pinned to the ideas board. Most are still in need of a spit polish and a road test, so they aren’t ready for the showroom just yet. We’re kicking around a way to open the Call for Proposals year-round so that anytime an “a-ha!” moment strikes, you can bring it right to us. We also want to be able to help you bring that epiphany to AU—which may mean AU online becomes the first destination for your teaching. Maybe it’s a webinar series, a webcast, or something else entirely. Time will tell.

In the meantime, we’re super excited to start working with this year’s newly selected speakers. Getting a class approved is just the first step in an arduous—but totally rewarding—journey.

So a final word of thanks to all who submitted proposals this year. We’re humbled, grateful, and just downright stunned by what you do and how you do it.

June 23, 2015

It’s official—we’re in the thick it. With just over 150 days left till AU 2015 Las Vegas we’re firing on all cylinders and getting ready to blow the top off this thing for you. Did you know AU has been around for 23 years? (Yep, we’re Gen Y.) While some of you have been with us for years, we thought it might be fun for those of you who are new to AU to take a look back at how it all began and how we got here.

Autodesk, Inc. introduced AutoCAD software to the market in 1982, leading the technological revolution from manual drawing to the computer-aided variety. In 1993, the first Autodesk user conference that became AU was hosted near our headquarters in San Francisco. It was a chance for designers, architects, and engineers to get together and geek out, teach each other practical tricks and tips, compare notes from the field, and rub elbows with peers. Above all, it was a chance to learn from the best in the industry. Autodesk University was born.

It was a big hit, so we decided to make AU an annual event. As we added new products for industries like media & entertainment and construction, our audience expanded too. We began inviting industry leaders to speak, and AU became more than just a place to learn about software. It became the showcase for thought-leadership and forward thinking that you know today.

After bouncing around the country for a few years, we settled in Las Vegas in 2000. In 2008 we added international events to our roster, packing our bags and heading for Shanghai, China, followed by Tokyo, Japan. Last year we reached 23,000 participants globally, at 13 events. We have 13 events lined up again this year, and kicked off the first one in Johannesburg last week. Almost 500 designers and creators came together to discuss the Future of Making Things with a focus on Africa’s unique challenges. Next up is AU India in Mumbai on August 7, which will be the first international AU to host the AU Gallery.

AU online began as a place to get information about the conference. But as AU evolved and expanded, we started thinking about how we could help people learn year-round. We began making classes available online in 2004. Each year our archive of incredible learning content grows. Now anyone can access classes and inspirational talks from experts and industry leaders anytime, anywhere. At AU online, class is always open and always free.

And that takes us up to the present day. We’re all in overdrive working to make 2015 the best AU yet. See you in Vegas.

June 17, 2015

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know about the cloud. You know cloud-based apps let you work from any computer or device that’s connected to the Internet. You know you can use the cloud to collaborate with anyone, anywhere in the world. You know the cloud gives you access to greater computing power for way less money compared with traditional desktop software. You know all this, because you’re a smart and savvy professional, at the top of your game. But here’s the thing. Knowing all that isn’t worth a dime to you unless you’re using it.

So, are you using the cloud?

If you answered no, stop what you’re doing and head straight over to AU online and learn how to get started with Fusion 360. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Go directly to AU online.

Fusion 360 is the first 3D CAD/CAM tool of its kind. Fusion 360 is cloud-based, so you download it to your computer or device but it’s powered by the cloud. That way you stay connected to the mother ship at all times. Autodesk delivers new functionality every 6 to 8 weeks, so if you like having the latest and greatest software, Fusion 360 is a great way to get it. Plus, your data files are stored safely in the cloud, and you can access them from anywhere.

Working in the cloud enables you to connect your entire product development process in a single cloud-based tool. Power your designs, quickly iterate on ideas, and explore forms and details. Do all your engineering in Fusion 360 too—test fit and motion as well as create assemblies, photorealistic renderings, and animations. With Fusion 360 you can do it all, from anywhere, and collaborate with your team wherever they are. And this class is the best way to get your bearings, learn the interface, basic tools and commands, and processes for designing, sharing, and publishing your models.

June 12, 2015

Here at AU, we’re always looking for ways to improve learning for you, our faithful and brilliant followers. Right now we’re trying to learn more about what Autodesk products you use and how you learn to use them. Where do you turn when you need help with new tasks or features? A colleague? A book? The help feature within the software? Knowing who or what guides your learning will help us improve the AU learning experience for everyone.

We’ve put together a brief online survey—it just takes about 10 minutes to complete. Will you take the survey for us? If you do, we’ll totally be your best friend. And to show you how much we appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day, you can enter a drawing to win some sweet prizes. Because that’s what best friends are for.

The survey is completely anonymous and pretty simple. We’re just trying to collect some stats about who’s using our products, how they learn to use them, and how they create and share learning resources with other users. Sounds easy enough, right?

June 10, 2015

Have you ever seen a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)? Not to be confused with a UFO (although if you didn't know what you were looking at, it would be an honest mistake), UAVs, also called consumer drones, have exploded onto the scene in the last few years. They’re so popular they made it onto an episode of Modern Family. You might have even seen 1 buzzing around your neighborhood.

In addition to spying on your neighbors, UAVs are a great tool for scene re-creation through reality computing. A drone can capture images from every angle. By processing the images with Photo on Recap software, you can use them to create true-to-life models. This new approach to visualization has a ton of useful applications in everything from construction to disaster recovery to infrastructure concept design. You can create models of individual houses and buildings, potential construction sites, remote areas affected by floods—any area you can fly a drone over, you can capture. Larger scenes can also be broken up into smaller scenes, which can then be used in AutoCAD Civil 3D or Infrastructure software. We’re just scratching the surface of what we can do with UAVs and reality capture. And Autodesk is leading the way.

Watch as Autodesk drone whiz Mike Gemmell take us up, up, up and away, with his class on UAVs and reality computing. Mike has spent the last few years experimenting with different equipment and methods to figure out the best way to capture and process images for making reality computing models. Mike will tell you everything you need to know about equipment, including UAVs and cameras, how to select and set up your equipment for different use cases, photo sequencing, processing, editing, and more. You’ll also get to see current use cases for construction, and hear the latest on FAA regulations for commercial drone operation. If you work in the fields of infrastructure, construction, engineering, or natural resources exploration, you don’t want to miss this glimpse into the future of visualization, preliminary design, and project development.

June 03, 2015

You know AU is a great place to learn, right? (Hint: that’s why we called it Autodesk University, not Autodesk Get-together.) You can choose from hundreds of sessions to learn tips, tricks, and insights for the software you use every day from experts in your field. But there’s another level of schooling at AU that’s even more exciting. We might be going out on a limb here, but it’s the kind of thing that can change your life.

We’re talking about thought leadership.

We think all Autodesk users are smart. (We might be biased.) But we’re honored, humbled and blown away each year by the standout leaders in their fields who speak at AU. When they share their visions of the future, it’s like they’re letting us in on a secret. They’re making us part of a fantastic, headlong journey. And they’re asking all of us to help shape the future of making things. Learning new tips and tricks is great, but sometimes we need to think bigger. Thought leadership gets us there. It’s about sharing what’s been learned, and looking at how we can keep learning together.

You might think you’ll only catch thought leaders giving keynotes. Not true. Of course the keynote speakers are a-mazing. (Check out Emily Pilloton’s 2014 keynote about sparking creativity in kids through teaching them to design—things like tiny transitional housing for homeless people. You might want to grab the tissue box for this one.) At AU and at AU online you can catch all kinds of classes that focus on new ways of doing things, in every field, classes that ask you to think outside the box. Hear case studies about people breaking new ground and making waves. Changing the world. A great case study is as powerful as a great speaker.

If you really want your socks knocked off, check out the Innovation Forums. These sessions are dedicated to exploring how technology continues to change the way we design and make things. And by things, we mean everything from products to infrastructure. Innovation Forums transcend industries and show us how the industries we serve are converging and changing together. So even if you’re in manufacturing, an Innovation Forum about architecture might just be the place to find your next big idea. See how the top minds are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and get motivated in your own work.

Take Ben Davis’s 2014 talk about The Bay Lights project. He begins: “I love infrastructure… [These systems] are the embodiment of the human spirit at the highest order… We evolved as humans to the point where we could shape [infrastructure], and now this infrastructure is going to shape our evolution, going forward.”

Check out Ben’s whole talk here and get excited to hear from, and learn with, thought leaders at this year’s AU.

May 29, 2015

Ding-ding-ding! That’s the buzzer for the CFP. This year’s Call for Proposals is now closed, and boy—what a response! We received over 2,000 proposals, more than last year. (Fun fact: we received more than 700 proposals in the final hours—way to hustle, folks.)

We’d like to thank each and every 1 of you who put in the time and hard work to prepare and submit a class proposal. Your dedication is what makes AU such an incredible learning experience and an inspiration to the whole Autodesk community. Please give yourself a pat on the back.

As in previous years, there will be multiple class formats at AU this year, and we received a nice balance of proposals for each. Instructional demos and hands-on labs provide product training. Industry talks, panels, and roundtables are where to go for thought leadership and industry innovation. Here’s how the submitted proposals break down by format:

Instructional demo proposals: 43%

Industry talk proposals: 34%

Hands-on lab proposals: 12%

Roundtable proposals: 8%

Panel proposals: 3%

AU industry experts and track managers are now poring over the pages, faced with the challenge of selecting fewer than 700 classes to bring to AU Las Vegas. (Good luck guys—glad we’re not you.) We can report that trending topics include:

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Digital Prototyping

Simulation

Cloud Services

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Data Management

Design Visualization.

Once again, a big thanks to everyone who proposed classes. We’ll notify submitters and selected speakers in late June. If you missed your chance to submit this year, be sure to sign up to be notified when next year’s CFP is opening.

May 27, 2015

Does it seem like the people who get all the BIM training in your architecture or engineering firm are the experts who use it every day? Are there architects, engineers, and project managers (maybe you?) whose BIM skills could use a little polishing? When everyone in the office has at least a working knowledge of BIM software like Revit, they can communicate more effectively, and also help out in a pinch. A great way to bring everyone up to speed is to start a regular training program, and get everyone involved.

If that sounds like something your office could benefit from, head over to Autodesk’s Line//Shape//Space blog to get some great ideas for designing a BIM training program for everyone. The post is by Kate Morrical, digital design manager for Robert Silman Associates, so she knows her stuff. And if you’re looking for more BIM training, you can always visit AU online, where classes are always open, and always free.

May 20, 2015

It seems like just yesterday we announced the opening of the AU 2015 Call for Proposals, and here we are, already telling you it’s about to close. Time flies when you're having fun, right? But seriously, stop having fun now and submit your proposal before it’s too late. CFP closes May 26—that’s next Tuesday. So get off Facebook. Step away from the Candy Crush. It’s time to get cracking.

If you’re still not sure about speaking at AU, check out what seasoned AU speakers Chris Benner and Matt Stachoni have to say about why it’s a great thing to do, and why you should stop waffling and submit. Aside from the obvious benefits, like the free conference pass and (of course) the glory, speaking at AU is a terrific opportunity to gain exposure and position yourself as a thought leader, share ideas with your peers, and even learn something new yourself. By becoming a speaker, you’re joining a community of experts and contributing to industry excellence. Plus you get to go to the preconference speakers social, your chance to meet and connect with like-minded brainiacs, which leads to both professional development and lasting friendships. Who knows what else could come out of it?

So go ahead, seize your chance to join the best and brightest Autodesk users from around the world and share your expertise, December 1-3 at The Venetian in Las Vegas. Download our guidelines and submit your proposal today. You won't regret it. (Unless you miss the deadline. So please don't do that.)

May 13, 2015

Have you noticed AU online’s new look? It’s fresh, it’s chic, and it’s just what we needed to kick off the official AU 2015 season. But it’s not just about looks. We’ve given the whole site an extreme makeover, beefing up value and adding handy content all over the place. And the best part is—it’s all still free, so anyone can learn online anytime, anywhere, for nothing. Nada. Nichts. Zilch.

Some of the updates we’ve already rolled out include making the site more responsive, which makes it easier than ever for you to learn on the go. Do you commute? Watch a class on the train. All you need is your phone or tablet. Travel a lot? Don’t watch another midflight episode of Two and a Half Men. Put your time to good use and gain valuable insights about how to work smarter.

We’ve also improved online classes by adding features like chapterization. Breaking the content down into chapters makes it easier to digest. Check out this great example of chapterization from Robert Green, a favorite speaker (he even won an AU speaker award last year): AutoLISP Strategies for CAD Managers. We’re all about easy, and we’re doing everything we can to make it easier for you to connect and learn better ways to work using Autodesk products.

We’ll continue to roll out more updates as we go, so keep checking back and expect big things from us this year. Thanks to you, we’ve got serious momentum. You’re part of a great—and growing—audience, and we’re working overtime to make your AU awesome. If you haven’t experienced the new AU online yet, head on over today and learn something new. AU is always open, and always free.

May 06, 2015

Calling all MEP engineers; HVAC, electrical, and piping designers; BIM managers, and BIM content developers. Are you 1 with your AutoCAD MEP software? Does it respond to your every thought? Are you able to do everything you want to at the speed of light? If you answered no to any of these questions (or even hesitated), this class is for you.

AutoCAD MEP 2015 software leads the way in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design, from drafting to fabrication for excellent workflows. In this class, you’ll jump into Building Information Modeling (BIM) specialist David Butts’ lab to learn incredible tips and tricks for creating custom content. David covers topics ranging from how to create a more detailed model using Inventor software to setting up a new catalog to store your custom content. Speed up and improve your work every step of the way, right away. David delivers expert insight in an easy-to-follow format.

With over 29 years of experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) field, David is a bit of a master when it comes to BIM. His product expertise includes Autodesk Revit software, AutoCAD MEP software, AutoCAD Plant 3D software, Autodesk Navisworks project review software, and more. David has presented at AU for over 10 years, and was the AU 2011 top-rated speaker for labs and lectures.

Make sure you download the handout to get the full gist. It’s chock full of great visuals and screenshots to make it easy for you to follow and learn by doing. (The best way to learn, they say.) At the end of this class you’ll be able to:

Use Autodesk Inventor software to convert and create more detailed 3D models

April 29, 2015

Did you hear that the AU 2015 Call for Proposals is officially open? Time’s a-ticking. You have until May 26 to submit your proposal to speak at AU this year. In case you’re still on the fence, check out what 16-year AU veteran and 11-time AU speaker Matt Stachoni has to say about why speaking at AU is awesome. (If anyone knows, it’s this guy.)

Matt is 1 of our favorite AEC experts and speakers. He has been using Autodesk software since 1987, and has over 20 years of experience as a CAD and IT manager for architectural and engineering firms. Currently serving as design technology manager at Erdy McHenry Architecture, LLC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Matt specializes in training architects, engineers, and builders on the applications in Autodesk Building Design Suite. He also implements BIM on the Autodesk Revit software platform, and Autodesk Navisworks project review software. So yeah, he knows his stuff.

Here’s what he has to say about the experience of speaking at AU.

AU: Why do you contribute to AU?

MS: Speaking at AU is exciting and rewarding. I’ve been attending since 1998 and speaking since 2003, and every year I learn something new. I enjoy teaching, and having a positive impact on your peers is really satisfying.

AU: What surprised you about speaking at AU?

MS: I was surprised at the amount of work involved in creating the handouts, presentation, and data set materials. But I’ve learned over the years that your class doesn’t need to be a college dissertation. Your speaking time goes by very fast, so it’s important that your content reflect the limited time you have in front of your audience.

AU: What do you like most about speaking?

MS: I’ve made some lasting friendships and we always have a good time catching up, so that’s definitely the high point. We have a speakers’ social before the event begins where you can meet the other speakers and make a lot of new friends.

I also make it a point to assist in as many labs as I can. It’s the easiest money you’ll ever make, and I learn quite a bit. As a speaker you get access to the conference, so going to classes during your “downtime” (ha!) is well worth it.

AU: What’s your most memorable moment from AU?

MS: Sorry, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

(But I will say hangovers in the dry Vegas air are really, really terrible.)

AU: What advice would you give someone speaking at AU for the first time?

MS: Practice your presentation on someone who doesn’t know anything about the subject and get feedback on content, body language, clarity of thought, etc. You’d be surprised how poorly you do the first couple of times, but you’ll get better with time. Be excited, but not loony. Be calm, but not comatose. Be entertaining, but not dopey. Speak normally and remember you have a microphone.

When teaching software techniques, it’s difficult to ensure students are tracking what you are doing and why. Practice your software moves again and again so you know where to click and when. Use a colored cursor marker to ensure people know where the clicks are.

Don’t worry about trying to cover every little thing and preparing a large handout. Keep PowerPoint simple, entertaining, and short. Show more pictures. If you show a wall of text people will tune out.

Attendees are a demanding bunch. Don’t worry if you don’t score perfect 10s your first few times speaking, but take their comments to heart. New speakers either do pretty well or really bomb, and the difference comes down to prep time, content, and how comfortable you are in front of your audience.

AU: Has your participation in AU changed anything for you professionally?

MS: As a technical specialist with an Autodesk reseller, AU has definitely helped my teaching ability and improved my presentation skills. I was able to network with others and have more opportunities to speak at other events, such as the Revit Technology Conference.

AU: What does AU mean to you?

MS: It means being able to put your best foot forward and teach something you really care about and know by heart. It also means learning new, unexpected ways of working with your Autodesk software from people who are at the top of their field.

April 22, 2015

That’s right, the AU 2015 Call for Proposals is officially open, and we want to hear from you.

Each year Autodesk University brings together experts from around the world to look at where we’re headed and how we’re going to get there. Join us in December at the world’s largest conference of Autodesk users to connect, explore, and learn about The Future of Making Things.

This year is shaping up to be our biggest, baddest, Autodesk-est conference yet. We’re looking for speakers and contributors to lead classes and Innovation Forums that explore new ways to make things, and tips and tricks for using and collaborating with Autodesk software.

By speaking at AU, you will become a key part of the AU community and position yourself as a thought leader in your field. How are you exploring the future of making things? Teach a class to share case studies or project experiences, or demonstrate new workflows, insights, and ways to collaborate. Lead a panel or roundtable discussion, or provide hands-on training in 1 of our labs. Whatever your area of expertise, we have the perfect forum to showcase it.

Instructional Demos—New this year, for product-specific workflows, collaborative processes, tips & tricks, and other topics calling for detailed presentations of how you’re using Autodesk software to design, engineer, make, and more.

Hands-on Labs—You know, for hands-on computer instruction.

Panels—Facilitated discussions in front of that large studio audience.

Roundtables—For intensive, small-group peer discussions and learning.

So what are we looking for? Check out last year’s classes to get an idea of what we like, and look for concepts you can build on. We get really excited about classes on trending topics, such as:

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

3D printing

Cloud services

Reality computing

Fabrication for AEC

Advanced manufacturing techniques

We’re also looking for classes that focus on Autodesk software like Fusion 360, Revit, BIM 360, 3ds Max, Maya, AutoCAD products, and the range of other products that support industries from infrastructure to entertainment.

Some tips for preparing a winning proposal:

Keep it relevant—We’re looking for experts with a rich and robust knowledge of Autodesk products. This applies to all fields of design and engineering.

Keep it connected—If you can find a way to connect to a previous AU class, either by building on existing knowledge or connecting ideas by exploring related avenues of innovation or learning pathways, you’ve got our attention.

Know your audience—And yourself. Choose the forum you will be most comfortable in and that will work best with your material to maximize your effectiveness.

April 15, 2015

With the AU 2015 Call for Proposals opening in just over a week, what better way to show some of the great reasons you should speak at AU than by asking a real live AU speaker and member of the Autodesk Expert Elite, Chris Benner, to give it to us straight.

As the CAD department supervisor at Powell Fabrication & Manufacturing in St. Louis, Michigan, Chris knows his stuff. A mechanical designer and drafter for more than 20 years, Chris has been using Autodesk products for most of his career, and not only AutoCAD but also Inventor.

CB: AU is a great place to find out what other software users are doing in circumstances similar to your own. If you’ve had to get creative in solving a particular problem related to an Autodesk product, other users out there may benefit from what you have learned.

AU: What surprised you about speaking at AU?

CB: The amount of time it took to get everything prepared for 1 class. It gave me new respect for anyone who teaches multiple classes every year.

What I liked least was my own trepidation about speaking in front of a large group.

AU: What would you have done differently, knowing what you know now?

CB: I would not have relied on “live” demos for my class. This year, I will prerecord my demos!

AU: What’s your most memorable moment from AU?

CB: I was surprised how approachable most Autodesk employees and execs are during the conference, right up to CEO Carl Bass. I just stopped and chatted with him several years ago about the quality of breakfast, as if he were just another attendee like myself. I like that.

AU: What advice would you give someone speaking at AU for the first time?

CB: Give yourself plenty of time to work on handouts and presentations; don’t wait until the last minute. Spell check! Rehearse often, in whatever way is most comfortable for you. Test your slides, videos, etc. Something will go wrong, so leave extra time in your presentation—if you’re already racing the clock, you’ll be in trouble. And relax at presentation time. Most likely the room is filled with people just like you who are looking for 1 good tip to make them more productive, and you just might have that tip.

AU: How has your participation in AU impacted you professionally?

CB: 2015 will be my seventh AU in a row, counting AU Russia last fall, and I have been with the Expert Elites since the program started at AU 2012. This involvement has helped me get promoted to department supervisor, and has given my employer some bragging rights with customers.

AU: Any other tips for attendees?

CB: Talk to people. Introduce yourself. My first AU, I had a terrible time because all I did was go to classes. I didn’t know anyone, and I didn’t make much effort to change that. After coming home I decided to make an effort to get to know some people. The Autodesk Community, AUGI, and other online communities are a great place to get started. At AU, however, don’t be afraid to approach anyone at all and say hi. You might just meet your new best friend.

April 08, 2015

If you’ve been to AU or watched classes on the AU website, you know a great class when you see it. But if you’re thinking about giving a presentation at AU, how do you make yours good? With the AU 2015 Call for Proposals rapidly approaching, we put our heads together and came up with a short list of what we think takes a class from interesting to awesome.

Relevance

First and foremost, people attend AU to learn about industry trends and best practices in engineering and design. For speakers, this means that, while obscure content may be interesting, rich, robust material that can be put into daily practice is preferred.

The right tools for the right job

Offline or online, different approaches to learning demand different tools. For AU classes like hands-on labs and tutorials, illustrations and product demonstrations can be essential. For classes in front of a live audience, that’s easy to do. On the web, however, illustrating workflow and product usage might mean the smart use of visual supplements, like Autodesk Screencast .

Then again, not every learning experience relies on visual demonstrations and illustrations. Whether your experience is firsthand or on demand, AU lectures, roundtables, and panel discussions are often dynamic because the speakers’ enthusiasm and presentation skills bring new ideas to life.

Classes that connect the dots

AU will always have its catalog of 101 classes. Some are perennial favorites; many remain indispensable. But as the store of AU learning content grows—from 1 event to the next as well as online—there’s a growing opportunity to connect new learning to what’s come before. So create a class that builds on existing knowledge or an existing class online and help create larger learning pathways.

Topics that trend

Collaboration and cloud are 2 big topics today. So is everything 3D. And AU is 1 of the very few places today’s design and engineering professionals can explore learning—offline and online—that is both forward-thinking and for real.

Autodesk products may improve collaboration and make the cloud safe, secure, and essential to productivity. But it’s members of the AU community—from the learners to the classroom leaders—who are driving innovation in the world today. Great AU classes demonstrate that time and again.

April 01, 2015

For AU 2014, we chose a visionary theme—The Future of Making Things—that spoke to what Autodesk products make possible. This year, we’re building on that foundation by tearing it down. Without further ado, we present the theme for AU 2015 (drumroll please…): The Future of Breaking Things.

As always, we’ll be bringing together top minds in design, engineering, and manufacturing to share best practices, demonstrate workflows, and explore industry trends. This year, however, those best practices will involve flamethrowers, innovative workflows for garbage compactors, and industry trends in sledgehammers.

“We’re not afraid to think outside of the box,” said AU thought leader, Jessie Wu. “We’re also not afraid to crush that box, jump up and down on it, and tear it to shreds. That’s how innovative we are.”

We’re looking for speakers and contributors to share their vision for the future of breaking things and lead hands-on classes that explore new ways to shatter, demolish, and destroy. So bring your creativity, your destructivity, and most importantly, protective eyewear. Some suggested classes might include:

BIM and Wrecking Balls: A Powerful Combination.

Sustainable Destruction: How to Break Stuff Without Hurting the Environment (or Bystanders)

Breaking Bridges: The Future of Wrecking Infrastructure

Cloud-Based Annihilation: Breaking Things from any Device, Anywhere

April Fools’ Day: How to Crack a Joke and Not Get in Trouble with Your Boss

Join us. Because, if you know how, you can break anything.

Note:

April Fools! The actual theme for AU 2015 remains The Future of Making Things. Interested in submitting a proposal to speak? The Call for Proposals opens April 22.